flower blog

With the Fourth of July falling next Friday, you may soon find yourself entertaining out-of-towners. What better way to welcome them than with flowers? Now how did you know I was gonna say that? ;)

But seriously flowers have more to offer than just the fact that they’re easy on the eyes. If you haven’t had time to get those new curtains or repaint the bathroom, put a fun summer bouquet in the room and no one will notice!

“It’s a quick way to spot-decorate when you’re having company,” says Marie Ackerman, who runs Teleflora's Education Center in Oklahoma City. “Put some flowers in the guests’ room and in their bathroom and they’ll really feel special. It doesn’t cost much and it really makes a big impact. This is the perfect time of year to buy fresh flowers.”



Of course, red, white and blue flowers would be a natural. When you buy one of Teleflora's 12 patriotic bouquets, Teleflora will donate 10% of the purchase price to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. This non-profit organization has provided more than $21 million in assistance to our nation’s wounded heroes and families. The partnership will continue through the end of the year.

Or go for something more exotic.

Marie suggests long-lasting tropicals like pin-cushion protea or orchids of any type. Another option is to select some simple foliage: an arrangement of simple but striking leaves, say, or a vase of three split-leaf philodendron. Like tropicals, they’re long lasting and will make a strong visual impact.

Flower Fact of the Day: Vancouver, B.C. will host the first-ever World Rose Convention in June, 2009. To find out more, visit: worldrose-vancouver2009.com.
 

Dahlias are stars of the summer, so enjoy them while you can. Can't believe it's almost July! Here are some tips on taking care of dahlias as cut flowers, courtesy of Alan Fisher of the American Dahlia Society dahlia.org.

   
Photo courtesy of the American Dahlia Society

1. Dahlias need a lot of water to support their many petals.

2. Their stems are hollow and will clog if there is a lack of fresh water or if the water contains bacteria. So make sure you use a clean vase without any residue.

3. To sterilize the vase, use a bottle brush and soap, rinse it clean and dry it upside down. You may also want to disinfect it using a solution that is 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.

4. Cut-flower food will help the dahlias last. They typically look good for 4-5 days.

5. If you are using a solution of water and food, change it every two days.

6. If the vase contains just plain water, change the water every day. Cut about an inch off the stems of the dahlias before reinserting. You can also take the end of a sharp knife and put a tiny hole into the stem, just under the water line. This will let air out and force the water to go higher.

Flower Fact of the Day: The Chicago Flower & Garden Show will be back on Navy Pier next March 7-15. The show was held on the pier for 10 years before moving to Rosemont for the past two years. Read more at: chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-flower-show-returns-bothjun27,0,3955648.story.
 

The dahlia has an allure and mystery like no other flower. After all, it lends its name to Hollywood’s most famous unsolved case: the January 1947 murder of aspiring starlet Beth Short, just 22 years old.

Beth, a Massachusetts native, who was trying make her way in Tinseltown, was known to friends and admirers as the Black Dahlia. Though not much is known for sure about her, it’s clear that she had a fondness for eccentricity. She often dressed in black, wore geisha-like makeup and tucked a flower in her hair.

Beth Short

After “The Blue Dahlia” movie came out in 1946, friends in Long Beach decided that Beth should be dubbed The Black Dahlia. The comparison was both apt and eerie because the movie (starring Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake, and written by Raymond Chandler) is a classic film noir. Beth followed her own doomed path within months of the film’s release.

Chandler got the name “Blue Dahlia” from a Charles Baudelaire prose poem, "Invitation to the Voyage," in which he refers to black roses, blue dahlias and other absurdities, such as loving a woman who would love him back. ;)

That interesting tidbit comes from Black Dahlia aficionado Richard Schave. Richard and his wife Kim Cooper run offbeat bus tours of Los Angeles, retracing the steps of people like Beth Short, Raymond Chandler and many others.

Or as they put it on esotouric.com: “Our tour themes are provocative and complex, but never dry, mixing crime and social history, rock and roll and architecture, literature and film, fine art and urban studies into a simmering stew.”

I recently took the Dahlia Tour and it was both fascinating and fun. Beth Short's murderer was never brought to justice, but theories abound as to the culprit's identity.

Was it a jealous boyfriend or movie mogul? Some have suggested that it was a mafia hit ordered by a wealthy LA businessman. Others argue it was a prominent doctor Beth met through her sister. Still others maintain that a random psychopath was responsible for her grisly death.

It's unlikely that there will ever be definitive answers in the Black Dahlia case. To me, the most intriguing question isn't whodunnit, but rather who was Beth Short and what was she like? 

Flower Fact of the Day: A new flower pot takes in solar power so it can glow at night. It’s pretty cool! See for yourself at: http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/22/solar-powered-glowing-flower-pot-does-just-that.
 

Last week, I released my list of the Top 10 summer flowers only to find that 10 wasn’t enough to cover all the great blooms out there. What about lisianthus, asked a fellow flower lover.

He’s right: lisianthus is gorgeous and can last well over a week as a cut flower.

And I realized I’d neglected another star of the season – the beguiling and mysterious dahlia. “You’re talking about quite a magnificent creation,” says Alan Fisher of the American Dahlia Society, dahlia.org. “They offer a tremendous range of possibilities.”

 
Photo courtesy of the American Dahlia Society

Consider these facts about dahlias:

• There are 50,000 named varieties.

• An individual flower can have up to 300 petals.

• The ADS recognizes 18 classifications of form and 15 different colors or color combinations. (Color is second to form when exhibiting dahlias.)

• There is also great variation in size. The smallest measure less than 2 inches in diameter; the largest are about 18 inches. Bigger isn’t necessarily better, however. Most times, it’s a smaller dahlia that wins best in show at competitions. That’s because as petals get larger, they get less precise.

• Most dahlias have significant depth, ie they are not flat like sunflowers.

• Dahlias were originally found in the mountains of Mexico about 200 years ago. Seeds were brought to Europe and hybrids were produced.

• The name dahlia comes from a Swedish botanist named Anders Dahl (1751 -1789).

• Movie and TV actress Arlene Dahl (born 1928) is a direct descendant of Anders Dahl.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts on caring for dahlias as cut flowers and how the subject of Hollywood’s most famous unsolved crime – the Black Dahlia – acquired her floral nickname.

Flower Fact of the Day: A hybrid geranium has been created for the grande dame of gardening in San Diego’s Balboa Park, Kate Sessions: signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080621/news_1m21balboa.html.
 

Today's post comes courtesy of Evan Santi, president of Urban Plantscapes in New York City, NYClandscapes.com. Evan saw one of my previous posts on container gardening and asked if he could contribute. I said sure, as I likely would to most guest bloggers.

So if you have a flower or garden topic about which you'd like to wax poetic or you have a great tip or a cool photo you'd to share with other flower lovers, just drop me a note.

And now, take it away, Evan...



It is 2008; please stop watering like you are stuck in the 80’s, age of excess.

Drip it, drip it good
Drip irrigation is a luxury on a street level and a necessity on roof tops or any area where you have unobstructed sun. With a combination of bizarre weather patterns, more rooftop gardens popping up and clever ways of hiding drip systems, you are sure to hear a great deal about them. There are countless benefits to going with a reservoir or drip system.

For starters, with traditional watering, you are constantly wetting the foliage which can cause any plant or flower with prepubescent foliage (grey furry leaves; examples include licorice, silver falls or any helichrysum) to rot or produce mold.

Secondly, you will save crucial time and money on fertilizer. Every time you water from the top you are flushing the nutrients right thought the drainage holes. By allowing the plant material to gradually absorb the water you will cut your fertilizer cost in half.

Lastly, you will have a much healthier root system and in return a much fuller plant or flower. Think of your soil as a sponge. If it is 90 degrees outside and you throw a gallon of water onto a sponge it may soak up an ounce or two, but if you take that same sponge and slowly gave it water over a half an hour you can be sure that it will be super saturated.

Now that you have stopped the “splash and dash,” you can focus on pruning, pinching and dead heading your container gardens and most importantly enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Gardeners' secret: If you are expecting rain and cooler temperatures, place rocks or styraboard under your container to make certain that your container drains properly. Also, the opposite is true: if you are anticipating no rain and a serious heat wav, remove the rocks under the planter to reduce drainage and lock in the moisture.

Flower Fact of the Day: Gardeners in Beijing are working to plant 40 million flowers throughout the city in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics in August.
 

   x17online.com photo

Yesterday I wrote about Nicole Richie wearing flower frocks two nights in a row at high-profile events. Today I saw that Paris Hilton was all about flowers on a recent outing in NYC. Or should I say, the flowers were all about her -- literally wrapped around her head.

Paris and boyfriend Benji Madden were out on the town Thursday. See more pix at: http://x17online.com/celebrities/paris_hilton/paris_hilton_flower_child-06202008.php.

I think she looks great, though somehow I don't think I could carry off this look myself. How about you?

Meanwhile, Charlize Theron sported a terrific floral look while promoting her new movie, "Hancock," co-starring Will Smith, at the Moscow International Film Festival, as reported on people.com.

Misha Japaridze/ AP photo

Flower Fact of the Day: There are 50,000 named varieties of dahlias, a great summer flower. Stop by next week when I'll be sharing info more on dahlias, gleaned from the American Dahlia Society.
 

Want to update your wardrobe in a flash? Just add flowers. Blossoms and blooms are everywhere: blouses, shoes, hats, purses. Today's Hellomagazine.com highlighted Nicole Richie's floral fashion choices, two nights in a row.

On Tuesday night, Nicole hit the red carpet at a movie event in a cornflower blue gown with roses and mums. Tres chic! Attending a Cartier party on Wednesday, she opted for a yellow satin dress adorned with petals. Read the full report and decide which look you like best at: hellomagazine.com/fashion/2008/06/19/nicole-flower-dress.

• Meanwhile, actress Rachel Bilson of "The O.C." fame was recently quoted as saying that her mother always taught her to ask a flower's permission before picking it: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2008/06/15/rachel-bilson-flower-formalities. "I try to be as green as I can," she said.

• Perhaps not famous yet but trying out a fantastic idea is Jennifer Haf of Charlevoix, Mich., who debuts an open-air flower stand, Bloom Unique Floral Creations, on Saturday at the Rose Cottage in downtown Charlevoix. I love this pic! Read more at: charlevoixcourier.com/articles/2008/06/19/business/doc
48590974b3172493322316.txt.



Flower Fact of the Day: Lilacs are low-maintenance shrubs and can offer good summer shade. Check out more tips at: helpfulgardener.com/lilacs/03.  
 

To learn how Amber created a unique niche in the floral market, see: teleflora.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Florist's-creativity-calls-for-a-toast!.aspx.

Flower Fact of the Day: A Chinese archeologist has published images of a flower's fossilized remains, which date back more than 145 million years. To read the full report, visit: cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20080619/102626.shtml.
 

School’s out and so is the sun: summer rocks! Along with vaca, beach days and BBQs, flowers are just waiting to delight our senses. Flowers in the garden, flowers for brides, flowers in every room of my beach cottage … Rats! There goes that fantasy life of mine again. But you know what I mean. Besides boasting an abundance of blooms, summer is the one time of the year when naturally blue flowers come to the fore. 

Savor the season with our list of the top 10 summer flowers:

From spring runways to “Sex and the City,” flowers have been popping up in jewelry, shoes, bags, belts, fragrance, cosmetics, and, of course, clothes.

Just ask ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, who was recently snapped sporting a multi-colored floral print shirt as he strolled down a sunny street in London. Shades, jeans and a jacket over his shoulder completed the casual look.

To read more, visit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1022544/Loved-Paul-McCartney-goes-psychedelic-era-flower-power-shirt.html.

That said, McCartney's blooms are no match for the outrageous flower hats seen in advance of the Royal Ascot races in Berkshire, England: http://gouk.about.com/od/whatsoninma1/ig/Ladies--Day-Hats--Royal-Ascot/Flower-hats.htm.
  Steve Finn/Getty Images

Meanwhile, longtime flower fan Prince Charles reportedly has a full-time staffer dedicated to creating beautiful bouquets. According to the Daily Mail: Sarah Champier-Lowe has been the prince’s florist for 10 years. Although her salary is secret, insiders estimate it in the range of 30,000 pounds/year.

Her favorite blooms: roses, tulips, delphinium, lavender, and monk’s hood, many of which are plucked from royal gardens.

For the full story, visit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1021662/Charless-30-000-time-flower-girl.html.  

Flower Fact of the Day: Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was also a flower lover. Her favorite blossom: Camellia.
 

Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (June)

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS 12:00 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME (“PST”) ON JUNE 3, 2008 AND ENDS AT 11:59 PM PST ON JUNE 30, 2008.

1. ELIGIBILITY: Teleflora Flower Blog Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winners of a sweepstakes by Sponsor within the six (6) months immediately prior to this Sweepstakes are not eligible. Employees of Sponsor and its parent and affiliate companies (collectively, “Promotion Parties”) as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. Sponsor reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of the winners.

2. HOW TO ENTER: Visit the Teleflora Flower Blog located at http://www.teleflora.com/flowerblog/ and post a comment responsive to the Teleflora Flower Blog. Limit 1 entry per person/e-mail address/household for the duration of the Sweepstakes. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means are void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Promotion Parties and all of their respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (collectively, "Released Parties") assume no responsibility for entries that are processed, reported, or transmitted late or incorrectly or are lost or misdirected for any reason whatsoever nor for any other error, problem or malfunction of any kind, whether computer, network, telephonic, technical, mechanical, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with this Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, processing of entries, notification of winners, announcement of the prize or in any Sweepstakes-related materials, or for the inability to access the website associated with the Sweepstakes.

3. PRIZES: One (1) winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries and shall receive a Teleflora Bouquet ARV: $50.00 to $100.00 (the “Prize”). Sponsor shall arrange to deliver the Prize to the winner within seven (7) to ten (10) days of when the winner accepts the Prize. The Prize (or any portion thereof) is non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise. No substitutions or cash redemption of the Prize is permitted except that Sponsor retains the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater retail value. Additional restrictions may apply.

4. DRAWING: The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or about July 1, 2008 from all eligible entries received. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. The potential winner will be notified by e-mail. Potential winner must respond within one week of notification or prize will be forfeited and another name drawn. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its designees to use each winner’s name, city, state, likeness, voice and biographical information for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity in any and all media, now or hereafter devised without limitation and without additional notification or permission or compensation, unless prohibited by law. All information collected will be treated in a manner consistent with Sponsor’s privacy policy and the consent given at time of entry. The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles, California, and all claims must be resolved in the appropriate state and federal courts of Los Angeles, California.

5. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to entrants’ or to any other person's computer (including hardware or software) related to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. By entering the Sweepstakes, all entrants agree to release and hold harmless Released Parties from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, liability, losses, actions, or damages of any kind (including, without limitation, related to personal injury, death, damage to property, infringement of proprietary rights, rights of publicity or privacy or defamation) arising out of or in connection with: (1) participation in the Sweepstakes or (2) acceptance, use or misuse of any prize (including any travel or activity related hereto), whether under a theory of contract, warranty, tort, (including negligence, whether active, passive, or imputed) strict liability, product liability, contribution, or any other theory. If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor in its sole discretion, may disqualify any individual, void entries and/or terminate, modify or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. In the event the Sweepstakes is terminated, Sponsor may, at its discretion, conduct a random drawing to award the prize for the drawing at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received for such drawing prior to such action. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an online entrant, entrant will be deemed the "registered subscriber" of the e-mail account at issue and required to comply with these Official Rules.

7. WINNERS LIST: The winner’s name will be posted on the Teleflora Flower Blog.

8. SPONSOR: Teleflora LLC, 11444 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90064. 
 

   Capricorn: Dec. 22-Jan. 20 / Flower: African violet

This almost never happens, but a weird tension you have with a friend is going clear up all by itself. Honest. No confrontations or uncomfortable talks required. Work, however, is going to require you to be especially proactive. You may need to put in extra hours to protect your turf.



   Aquarius: Jan. 21-Feb. 19 / Flower: Orchid
 
You will consider making a major purchase by the end of the month. Do your homework so you don't end up with buyer's remorse. The 19th to the 21st will be especially lucky days for you. Oh and after all that homework, don't forget to have some fun!



   Pisces: Feb. 20-March 20 / Flower: Alstroemeria

This is going to be a fantastic month for you. Work will be a dream; weekends will be both fun and restful; and romance will reign supreme! You may get a visit from an old friend and, once you're reunited, the laughs will be non-stop. Just like those old "Sex and the City" viewing-party days ...



   Aries: March 21-April 20 / Flower: Tulip
 
Summertime and the living is easy. It's also a great time to brighten someone else's day and volunteer your time for a cause you're passionate about. The 9th may be a day of roller-coaster emotion. On the week of the 23rd, be on guard against an offer that sounds too good to be true.



   Taurus: April 21-May 21 / Flower: Lily
 
Something you've waited patiently (or impatiently) for is going to happen this summer. Enjoy the moment and savor it as long as you can. A friend may make a mysterious request. Hear her out and think it over before you decide. Family stress will subside.




   Gemini: May 22-June 21 / Flower: Rose
 
If this is your birthday month, take a leaf out of actress/author Kathleen Turner's book and "Send Yourself Roses"! Why wait and hope that someone else will treat you? Even if you're not a b'day girl, nothing raises spirits like flowers. The week of the 16th will be hectic. 



   Cancer: June 22-July 22 / Flower: Delphinium

Keep your focus and you'll reach your goals. At the office, resist the temptation to gossip, even though there might be plenty to chat about. Better to stay out of it and stick to finishing your to-do list. Keep making time to work out and eat right so you'll achieve fitness goals as well.



   Leo: July 23- Aug. 22 / Flower: Sunflower

It's time for that heart-to-heart talk with your honey. He can't read your mind, after all, so you might as well spell it out and hope for the best. That said, if you have to issue an ultimatum, be prepared to follow through. A family member will present you with a very unusual gift. Accept it graciously.



   Virgo: Aug. 23-Sept. 23 / Flower: Daisy
 
You will talk a friend or colleague out of making a bad decision this month, kudos to you! And for yourself: Find a way to see the humor in nearly every situation. On the romance front, be patient. Give yourself time to get to know the other person. After all, that's the fun part!



   Libra: Sept. 24-Oct. 23 / Flower: Hydrangea

Even if it feels unfair or not quite right, forgive, forgive, forgive. You will be rewarded down the road. This is also an excellent time to tackle new creative projects. Besides, you never know who you might meet in that painting class or writing seminar. And dedicate a day this month to you!



  Scorpio: Oct. 24-Nov. 22 / Flower: Peony

It's never too late to live your dream! All it takes is positive thought and perseverance. If you encounter naysayers, ignore 'em. Yes, you should have a plan, but if it falls apart, remember that sometimes what emerges is better than anything you could've plotted out.  



   Sagittarius: Nov. 23-Dec. 21 / Flower: Carnation
 
You may called on to make a tough career choice. Trust your gut. Also, don't forget to keep adding to your skills and updating your resume. The 16th and the 24th are good days to get your finances in shape. Your adaptability will serve you well.



Flower Fact of the Day: Glads make elegant bouquets and last almost as long as carnations.